My 8,000 Foot Wyoming Black Bear
Back at camp we learned my Wisconsin friend Dave who had traveled with me had killed a very nice six and a half foot color phase bear. His earlier shooting practice paid off as he took his bear cleanly at about 250 yards with one shot. The next day Dave spent a relaxed day recovering his trophy and then taking both hide and head into town to register it and to make a couple business phone calls.
On my second day of hunting Robb and I saw no bears during the day. We did however see more spectacular mountain scenery and a number of elk and deer including one very nice shooter buck in the early stages of antler development.
Robb and I eventually set up again across the canyon from our same bait station hoping Mister Big would be back before dark. I was determined to be better prepared this time.
Suddenly Robb spotted my bear about 75 yards to the right of the bait station. I got on my rifle scope and watched him slowly make his way toward the bait. During his movement he was behind brush or trees most of the time. At one point he was in the clear and broadside but still moving with no smart shooting opportunity.
Eventually he neared the bait and I shot him as described in my opening paragraph. To get to him we had to first go down the ridge we were on to the bottom and cross a couple streams. By now we were hurrying to get to him before pitch dark set in. The horses again did a great job. We made our way up the opposite ridge and found him right away. This bear was all black except his muzzle and was the first non-color phase bear taken by Non-Typical Outfitters in about 3 years.
The plan was to come back for skull and hide recovery the next day so after a few photos with flash in the dark we headed back to camp.
Back in camp we learned that Mike (Hammer) and Tom were not back yet. We hoped they were late because they each got a bear. Later we learned they each had taken a shot. It was decided to not try hard in the dark to find any bears that may have been hit for fear of pushing them too much. Both hunters came back to camp with that uneasy feeling.
The next morning Mike and Tom each left with their own guides to hopefully find their bears waiting for them but it was just not to be we learned later. Tom did kill a beautiful color phase bear on his last day but Mike went home empty-handed but with fond memories of a wonderful but challenging hunt.
Robb, Dave and I headed back to retrieve my own bear and to take some better quality daytime photos of my big bear. I snapped some pictures of my own showing my shooting spot across the canyon. What a priceless mellow moment I was having!
The food was very good, the camp was neat and comfortable, the hunts were well organized, the guides and cook were great, the weather was near perfect and I now have a new favorite horse to ride next time I hunt with Non-Typical Outfitters. We had a little wind during each day but luckily wind was no significant factor on either of my hunt evenings -- for scent or for bullet drift.
So, Robb Wiley, know right now that I will be back to hunt bears next year and the year after that and the year after that!
Len Backus is the owner of www.LongRangeHunting.com. He has been a long range hunter since the 90's and is as likely to bag his game with a camera as with a rifle or a specialty handgun. His outdoor photography can be seen at LenBackus.com
On my second day of hunting Robb and I saw no bears during the day. We did however see more spectacular mountain scenery and a number of elk and deer including one very nice shooter buck in the early stages of antler development.
Robb and I eventually set up again across the canyon from our same bait station hoping Mister Big would be back before dark. I was determined to be better prepared this time.
Suddenly Robb spotted my bear about 75 yards to the right of the bait station. I got on my rifle scope and watched him slowly make his way toward the bait. During his movement he was behind brush or trees most of the time. At one point he was in the clear and broadside but still moving with no smart shooting opportunity.
Eventually he neared the bait and I shot him as described in my opening paragraph. To get to him we had to first go down the ridge we were on to the bottom and cross a couple streams. By now we were hurrying to get to him before pitch dark set in. The horses again did a great job. We made our way up the opposite ridge and found him right away. This bear was all black except his muzzle and was the first non-color phase bear taken by Non-Typical Outfitters in about 3 years.
The plan was to come back for skull and hide recovery the next day so after a few photos with flash in the dark we headed back to camp.
Back in camp we learned that Mike (Hammer) and Tom were not back yet. We hoped they were late because they each got a bear. Later we learned they each had taken a shot. It was decided to not try hard in the dark to find any bears that may have been hit for fear of pushing them too much. Both hunters came back to camp with that uneasy feeling.
The next morning Mike and Tom each left with their own guides to hopefully find their bears waiting for them but it was just not to be we learned later. Tom did kill a beautiful color phase bear on his last day but Mike went home empty-handed but with fond memories of a wonderful but challenging hunt.
Robb, Dave and I headed back to retrieve my own bear and to take some better quality daytime photos of my big bear. I snapped some pictures of my own showing my shooting spot across the canyon. What a priceless mellow moment I was having!
The food was very good, the camp was neat and comfortable, the hunts were well organized, the guides and cook were great, the weather was near perfect and I now have a new favorite horse to ride next time I hunt with Non-Typical Outfitters. We had a little wind during each day but luckily wind was no significant factor on either of my hunt evenings -- for scent or for bullet drift.
So, Robb Wiley, know right now that I will be back to hunt bears next year and the year after that and the year after that!
Len Backus is the owner of www.LongRangeHunting.com. He has been a long range hunter since the 90's and is as likely to bag his game with a camera as with a rifle or a specialty handgun. His outdoor photography can be seen at LenBackus.com
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